tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109Sat, 28 Feb 2015 22:19:52 +0000The Spirit of ManHistory, Liberty, Destinyhttp://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Winston)Blogger1825125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-3466373371317512787Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:21:00 +00002015-02-02T22:25:17.753-05:00At Mark Steyn's EventHad the privilege of attending another event featuring 'the columnist to the world'&nbsp;<a href="http://www.steynonline.com/">Mark Steyn</a> again last night. Mr. Steyn is on a tour promoting his new book 'The Undocumented Mark Steyn.'<br /><br />I posted a bit more info about the event live on my Twitter: twitter.com/WinstonCDN. However out of many things Mark Steyn mentioned in his hour long interview/chat, two quotes will always stay with me:<br /><br />1- "A free people should be able to defend itself against aggression or government tyranny."<br />2- "When a tolerant society tolerates the most intolerant values (i.e Islamism, Jihadism... etc) it is bound to fail."<br /><br />Here are a few photos from <a href="http://www.steynonline.com/6782/mood-indigo">his last night's event</a>:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHtE3NBcklo/VMoWbEED3jI/AAAAAAAABMM/p9B_n93UG48/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHtE3NBcklo/VMoWbEED3jI/AAAAAAAABMM/p9B_n93UG48/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZoBXBx13Hk/VMoWbZewyUI/AAAAAAAABMQ/szjtBaihjmc/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZoBXBx13Hk/VMoWbZewyUI/AAAAAAAABMQ/szjtBaihjmc/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2015/01/at-mark-steyns-event.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-223769627334688843Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:13:00 +00002014-09-10T03:13:34.089-04:00The hatred goes deepEvery time I speak with my friends inside of Iran I can sense the depth of hate that ordinary Iranians have for their oppressors.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>A few days ago I was speaking to a trusted buddy of mine who was full of boiling rage against the regime's systematic destruction of Iran's natural resources. Iran is going through one of its worst draughts in history and many rivers, lakes and national parks are suffering from it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>People blame the Islamic regime for these problems, and other social and economic ills. Yet they can't help unshackled themselves from the yoke of the Ayatollahs. The hate for this cruel regime runs deep.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I still believe that given the right amount of financial, moral and political support we can overthrow the murderous Iranian regime. &nbsp;And we must do so. This regime must go.</div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-hatred-goes-deep.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-588277101575488652Mon, 19 May 2014 06:08:00 +00002014-05-19T02:08:03.473-04:00CultureRecently I have been pondering about the similarities between the Iranian and Russian cultures. And it seems, to me as an Iranian, that the modern Iranian culture has been heavily influenced by the Russian culture. From our food and the way we make our tea to weird superstitions we hold on to, everything seems to be influenced by the Russians.<br /><br />It makes sense that the immediate European neighbor to Iran in the north has been such an influential in shaping Iran's modern culture.<br /><br /><br />http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2014/05/culture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-28981533353087083Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:28:00 +00002014-01-19T16:28:06.837-05:00S-300 missiles for Iran? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I68frpeeGGM/Utw92c3X8hI/AAAAAAAABH4/503yxVAeis0/s1600/iran_s-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I68frpeeGGM/Utw92c3X8hI/AAAAAAAABH4/503yxVAeis0/s1600/iran_s-300.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Iranian regime is <a href="http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_01_16/Iran-not-interested-in-supplies-of-Antey-2500-instead-of-S-300-from-Russia-FM-Zarif-3543/">once again trying to procure</a> the Russian made S-300 air defense missiles, even after they had <a href="http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/iran190410.html">claimed</a> that their Islamic revolutionary engineers could manufacture the S-300 system in Iran without any foreign assistance. Turns out, those bogus claims weren't true. <br /><br />The Iranian Air Defense Forces have some modern air defense systems such as the Russian built <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_missile_system">Tor M-1</a> and legacy air defense systems such as US made I-Hawk MIM-23, or Russian built SAM-6 and S-200 systems.<br /><br />Almost all of these air defense systems are designed to deal with low to medium altitude targets, save for the legacy S-200 of which Iran has a handful. It must be noted that some of Syria's&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA-17#9K37M1-2_Model_.28SA-17.29">Sa-17 air defense systems</a> have <a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Sep-25/189087-iran-tests-new-anti-air-missile-defense-guard.ashx#axzz27SgGt3po">found their way to Iran</a> through Lebanon's terrorist group Hezbollah which upon arrival, were given a new paint scheme and an Arabic name 'Raad.' Some analysts have rightly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/syria-buying-mig31s-mig35s-for-1-billion-03391/">speculated</a>&nbsp;that Iran has been the actual financier of these expensive purchases by the Syrians in the first place.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtQf88A9Qdo/Utw919NQTKI/AAAAAAAABHw/4J2Hor0UdM0/s1600/610xou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtQf88A9Qdo/Utw919NQTKI/AAAAAAAABHw/4J2Hor0UdM0/s1600/610xou.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div><br />Iran's plans to obtain the <a href="http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Grumble-Gargoyle.html">sophisticated S-300 missile system</a> stems from the regime's desire to protect its nuclear facilities from a possible US or Israeli air strike. The original deal was suspended by the Russian government out of respect for the United Nations' embargoes on the Iranians.<br /><br />So far their attempts at procuring S-300 have been futile. They must know that S-300 <a href="http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/07/24/official-israel-prepared-to-defend-against-s-300-missiles-if-russia-delivers-weapons-to-syria/">will not stop</a> the Israeli Air Force or the United States Air Force from penetrating the Iranian air space in order to bomb the regime's nuclear weapons facilities.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2014/01/s-300-missiles-for-iran.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7052967682593318535Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:33:00 +00002014-01-07T04:02:02.682-05:00The great Iranian purge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uSqOkvgagQ/Usn0sseYN1I/AAAAAAAABGI/AZ2PMzKh5n0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uSqOkvgagQ/Usn0sseYN1I/AAAAAAAABGI/AZ2PMzKh5n0/s320/3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9zIXFmiRiQ/Usn0uIm1FCI/AAAAAAAABGU/Gi93dr7_4hw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9zIXFmiRiQ/Usn0uIm1FCI/AAAAAAAABGU/Gi93dr7_4hw/s320/4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On January 5th, 1995 the entire senior commanders of the regular Iranian Air Force (HQ's general staff) were killed in a suspicious plane crash near the city of Isfahan. Among the dead were several generals including the Iranian Air Force's commander Gen. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansour_sattari">Mansour Sattari</a> (above photos), the air force's deputy commanders Gen. Yassini, Gen. Ardestani and a few other high ranking officers. The cause of the crash is still unknown. The IRIAF's board of inquiry never released its findings, if they found any. Some attributed the cause of crash to be 'pilot error' as some recalled the pilot being a 'flight training school reject' who was about to be dismissed. But why give the control of a VIP aircraft with a dozen VIP passengers to a 'flight school reject' then?<br /><br />The Iranian regime is known to be hostile to the regular Iranian armed forces (Air Force, Army and Navy). The first round of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nojeh_coup_plot">mass purges</a> came right after the Ayatollahs' seizure of power in February 1979. At the time, they mercilessly executed almost all the Shah's armed forces generals and those who were deemed anti-revolutionary. It is believed that upwards of 9000 military service-members were executed between February 1979 and October 1980, while hundreds were let go under bogus circumstances. Among those who were killed, there were dozens of highly trained fighter pilots, technicians and war planners whose absence left Iran almost defense-less against the Iraqi onslaught during the coming 8 year long war.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Twilight-War-Americas-Thirty-Year/dp/014312367X">second round</a> of mass executions came in 1983-84 when several senior naval and ground forces officers were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahram_Afzali">charged</a> with 'membership in Tudeh (communist party of Iran) party' and summarily executed. Many claim that these men's main crime was protesting the regime's plans to expand the war and seize Iraqi territory. These senior officers believed the war's objective of ejecting Iraq from Iran's territory had been achieved and it was time to settle for peace.<br /><br />But these mass executions and death squads are the official purges we know about. And the Iranian regime is actually proud of its work in 'cleansing the earth from corrupt individuals'. The notion of 'eradicating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mofsed-e-filarz">the corrupt</a> from the face of the earth is very common in Iran. Being 'corrupt' or 'Mofsed' is also a charge that the regime lays on any one who might be deemed counter-revolutionary or un-islamic.<br /><br />And then there are purges we do not know about or haven't heard much about. The first of these came in September of 1981. The then commander of the Iranian AF <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javad_Fakoori">Javad Fakouri</a> along with the Chief of Staff of Iran's armed forces <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiollah_Fallahi">General Fallahi</a>, Defense Minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousa_Namjoo">Namjou</a>&nbsp;(all western oriented senior officers) died in a mysterious crash aboard a C-130 Hercules transport plane, while returning from an inspection tour of the Iranian military gains in the war against Saddam's army. Again, no official cause of the crash was ever released. Through these violent mass executions and lay offs, the new Islamic regime solidified its control over what was dubbed the Shah's "<a aghut="" en.wikipedia.org="" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=16538109" http:="" wiki="">Taghuti</a>" Armed Forces. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qejwhxJYbE/Usn8PaguGpI/AAAAAAAABGk/N2_M_Fvju_A/s1600/800px-A_IRIAF_Lockheed_JetStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qejwhxJYbE/Usn8PaguGpI/AAAAAAAABGk/N2_M_Fvju_A/s320/800px-A_IRIAF_Lockheed_JetStar.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As mentioned earlier, the entire command and general staff of the regular Iranian Air Force (IRIAF) was decimated in a mysterious 'Lockheed JetStarII' plane crash (similar to the above aircraft).<br /><br />&nbsp;Gen. Sattari (a ground radar control officer by training) had become commander of the Iranian AF in 1986 at a time when the air force was under enormous pressure, and lacked any serious capability during the last phase of the war with Iraq. He'd become famous for introducing I-HAWK air defense missile batteries as battlefield mobile air defense systems. Through personal innovation and initiative, he single handedly was responsible for downing dozens of Iraqi aircraft. His connections with the current president of Iran (Hassan Rouhani) who was chief of civil and military defense at the time paid off in 1986, and he was appointed the commander of the air force. Though not known for being pro-Shah or remotely western, he had an independent streak that led him to be distrusted by the regime. He had grand plans to modernize the battered air force and pushed to purchase new aircraft (MiG-29s, Sukhoi-24, F-7 Chengdu… etc) and wished to strengthen the weakened air arm under his command. He retained many of the US trained pilots and technicians. He fought tooth and nail to have many of the western trained personnel be returned to active duty since their expertise were needed to maintain the western aircraft.<br /><br />Those plans were not favored by a regime that regards the regular army as 'Taghuti' and relies on the 'Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)' to protect the Islamic revolution. Not to mention using the IRGC as a check against the regular military. (IRGC has seized or established grounds/bases near every major regular military base in Iran).<br /><br />Once those senior commanders (read obstacles) were killed, the regime went into one of its mass purges again. Dismissal rates increased, dissident personnel were thrown in jail, any one who voiced his concern against rampant corruption was jailed, cronyism grew larger as the new commander of the IRIAF Gen. Baghae'e (known as 'Choopan' or herder, for his love of goats, cows and sheep) turned the air force bases around the country into herding grounds, and started using the air force's conscript soldiers as slave laborers in the regime's oil and gas projects through out the country. He basically did what he was told to do: keep an important branch of the regular military weak and incompetent. At the time of the 'JetStarII crash' in Isfahan in January of 1995, many within the air force community believed the cause of the incident was 'a package' given to a crew member as a gift. Did the 'gift' explode mid-air causing the loss of cabin pressure and subsequent loss of life and aircraft in the process? No one knows. But the history of military purges in Iran tells me that the regime did not want General Sattari and co to run the regular air force.<br /><br />What better way to dismiss these men in a mysterious mid-air crash than to risk upsetting 1/3rd of Iran's mostly pro-western US trained regular military? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S58n0DprVTY/Usn0sCusMCI/AAAAAAAABGE/_K8Tfur3lg4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S58n0DprVTY/Usn0sCusMCI/AAAAAAAABGE/_K8Tfur3lg4/s320/1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>Gen. Sattari (red box) inspecting "Bushehr's 6th tactical fighter base" in southern Iran in early 1990s.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_4Bv1WRpG0/Usn0q4Q1j4I/AAAAAAAABF8/ptCkqPLWIXQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_4Bv1WRpG0/Usn0q4Q1j4I/AAAAAAAABF8/ptCkqPLWIXQ/s320/2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Here, Sattari seen climbing out of a Chinese made 'F-7M Chengdu' training aircraft. Since he was not a pilot by trade, he took it upon himself to learn how to fly different airplanes as the commander of Iran's air force. The tradition dictates that the commander of the IRIAF to be a fighter pilot. </i><br />-------<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>In February 19th, 2003 hundreds of military personnel (this time mostly IRGC officers) died in what was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Iran_Ilyushin_Il-76_crash">the largest aircraft crash</a> in Iran's history. The <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3C/i%3Ehttp://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20030219-0"><i>cause</i></a> of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3C/i%3Ehttp://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=02192003&amp;reg=15-22?&amp;airline=Iranian+Revolutionary+Guard"><i>crash</i></a> remains unclear. Many have suggested that the regime loaded the plane with dissatisfied IRGC personnel and then blew it up. But who knows?! A tyranny is capable of anything.</i></div></div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-great-iranian-purge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7895703754933246926Sat, 21 Dec 2013 21:23:00 +00002013-12-21T16:23:01.229-05:00Obama's deal with Iran's regimeWhat do I think of the deal between Obama and the Iranian regime over the regime's nuclear program? I think it is horrible. I think it is a cop out. An easy way for Obama to shirk responsibility yet again. Who in their right minds could see the day when the President of the United States would be the Iranian Mullahs' primary protector and ally?<br /><br />So in that sense, I think, Obama has managed to prop up the Iranian regime. And he has de-moralized an army of pro-freedom Iranians who a few years ago took to the streets again hoping to get rid of the Mullahs.<br /><br />It is a bad deal for the American people, for the Israelis and for the Iranian people. But the question remains: What's it with the US democrats' love for tyrants and mass murderers? Can any one answer that?<br /><br /><br />http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/12/obamas-deal-with-irans-regime.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-3544436842741170839Thu, 31 Oct 2013 22:54:00 +00002013-11-03T22:29:05.202-05:00A Mysterious Crash <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmKON_JAwg/UnLaHosvgiI/AAAAAAAABEA/LXTAGSKtTks/s1600/1732708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmKON_JAwg/UnLaHosvgiI/AAAAAAAABEA/LXTAGSKtTks/s1600/1732708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3-6062</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_WtS9PSRrE/UnLe4zdkQsI/AAAAAAAABEg/oVn7OtNvI3Y/s1600/85427772625312641443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_WtS9PSRrE/UnLe4zdkQsI/AAAAAAAABEg/oVn7OtNvI3Y/s1600/85427772625312641443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the early morning hours of January 26th, 2012 an Iranian F-14A (serial 3-6062 <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran---Air/Grumman-F-14A-Tomcat/1732708/L/&amp;sid=1570d6ffbd21432e71b2d4d63e9006bc">seen</a> above) was scrambled to <a href="http://www.openminds.tv/military-magazine-highlights-iranian-air-force-encounters-with-ufos-1153/">intercept a 'UFO' near the port city of Bushehr</a> in south of Iran. Less than 5 minutes into the flight, the mighty 'Tomcat' disappeared from the ground control radar. The pilot and RIO (seen below) both lost their lives in the crash.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2fhhMNvyIE/UnLbr5lzpGI/AAAAAAAABEM/xIGdX1sK0pk/s1600/1374144_248951028587107_980036428_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2fhhMNvyIE/UnLbr5lzpGI/AAAAAAAABEM/xIGdX1sK0pk/s1600/1374144_248951028587107_980036428_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5g5AIsG-7c/UnLbr40oc1I/AAAAAAAABEQ/jLPj2-bsg2Q/s1600/53841017514157754386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5g5AIsG-7c/UnLbr40oc1I/AAAAAAAABEQ/jLPj2-bsg2Q/s1600/53841017514157754386.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><br />So far the Iranian regime has attributed the cause of <a href="http://www.nycaviation.com/2012/01/iran-air-force-f-14-fighter-jet-crashes-near-persian-gulf-killing-both-crewmen/#.UnLVlBbabao">this terrible incident</a> to some unknown technical failures. But that was not the case. The '3-6062' F-14 was one of the best maintained aircraft in the Iranian Air Force's inventory assigned to critical 'QRA' duties in the important port city of Bushehr where Iran's sole nuclear reactor is also located.<br /><br />But what was the cause of this mysterious crash? The Iranian regime has not revealed much beyond its official line that the crash was due to technical issues. But now it can reliably be said that the 'Revolutionary Guards' air defense near Bushehr 6th tactical air base shot this valuable 'Tomcat' down. The regular air force officers I spoke with over the past week claim that the IRGC's air defense personnel are "totally unfamiliar" with the type of aircraft flying for their own country. One of them told me that the 'IRGC' AAA personnel <a href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htiw/20121015.aspx">fire at anything</a> that might scare them. Although my guess is that they fire at all high speed flying objects out of fear of getting reprimanded for not actually fighting.<br /><br />This story exposes an existing gap between the regular armed forces and their more radical revolutionary guards' comrades. A gap that could be exploited during a coalition air strike to de-fang the Iranian regime and its nuclear weapons facilities.<br /><br /><i>Reporting for the <a href="http://theaviationist.com/">The Aviationist</a>.</i>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mysterious-crash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-2446536596210339636Thu, 26 Sep 2013 03:49:00 +00002013-09-26T21:14:09.046-04:00IRIAF F-4 Accident<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ganjjang.ir/upload/images/nkpn8q68baof0hh13f96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://ganjjang.ir/upload/images/nkpn8q68baof0hh13f96.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The crew of the doomed F-4</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />According to eye witness accounts, an Iranian 'F-4E Phantom II' of the 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron crashed on Bushehr air base's runway 31L this past Monday, 23 Sept. The cause of the accident according to my sources is mentioned as "a violent tire burst" that forced the aircraft off the runway. As a result, the crew attempted to eject which resulted in the unfortunate death of the F-4 pilot Major Rezaee and injuring WSO Capt. Salimi (shown in the above photo).<br /><br />Bushehr is home to two squadrons of F-4E Phantom IIs, and one permanent detachment of F-14A Tomcats originally out of the 8th Isfahan Tactical Air Base. Bushehr is also the same base where the drone harassing F-4E had flown from, which was later <a href="http://theaviationist.com/2013/09/20/iriaf-f-4/">intercepted</a> by a USAF F-22 Raptor.<br /><br />This is the second such incident at this very same air base. Back in January 2012, an F-14A <a href="http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/27915">crashed</a> at night <a href="http://www.nycaviation.com/2012/01/iran-air-force-f-14-fighter-jet-crashes-near-persian-gulf-killing-both-crewmen/#.UkOtBBa51So">immediately</a> after take-off killing the pilot and RIO. Needless to say, the port city of Bushehr is also home to the Iranian regime's sole nuclear power reactor built by the Russians.<br /><br />The '<a href="http://nahaja.aja.ir/Portal/Home/">Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force</a>' was the second largest operator of the F-4 and RF-4E Phantoms after Germany. The service has managed to keep the US built type fly-worthy by obtaining spare parts from the global black markets, or through indigenous aircraft industries. It is said to have around 65 flyable F-4E Phantom II aircraft mainly based at 3rd Hamedan, 6th Bushehr and 9th Bandar Abbas tactical fighter bases, with a few aging F-4D aircraft based in Chahbahar 10th AB.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ganjjang.ir/upload/images/592rjy40ykatyt4uotgl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://ganjjang.ir/upload/images/592rjy40ykatyt4uotgl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of the 61st TFS pilots</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This <a href="http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=160924">deadly incident</a> did not receive any media coverage inside of Iran as it coincided with the regime's "Sacred Defense Week" festivities commemorating the beginning of the 8 year long Iraq-Iran war of the 1980s.<br /><br /><i>Reporting for&nbsp;<a href="http://theaviationist.com/">The Aviationist</a>.</i>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/09/iriaf-f-4-accident.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-8759521842361632713Fri, 06 Sep 2013 07:48:00 +00002013-09-06T03:50:05.185-04:00Syria debateTruth is that I am on the fence when it comes to Syria. On one hand, I believe, President Bush should have decimated Assad's regime for its role in Iraq's insurgency from 2003 to 2009. By not attacking Syria's terrorist regime back then, America showed that it is not very serious about taking on real Jihadists. Also, Iran's IED factories should have been bombed during the same period. Those IEDs and EFPs killed and maimed thousands of Iraqis and Americans. And as such, by being unserious, any attack to punish Bashar Assad is meaningless. Especially when a community organizer is running the show.<br />On the other hand, I believe, America's credibility is on the line. And world order is sacrosanct. No tyrant should get away with murdering its citizens. And yes, I believe that the United States is the world police. In fact, America is the warden of the global mental sanitarium. And that ungodly role requires America to smack down tinpot dictators and Jihadists once in a while.<br /><br />It is a tough sell. I really want Assad and his minions to be punished. Above all, I don't mind if Iran's regime is punished as well. But will politico-in-chief Hussein Obama be able to do what's right? I highly doubt it. I also don't blame the ignorant majority of members of the US Congress for their refusal to vote "Yes" on Obama's AUMF (Authorization to Use Military Force) next week. Why should they vote "Yes" for an Anti-American president's proposal, when the US president himself is unwilling to take responsibility for his deeds. He passed the 'buck' to the congress, so in case of any potential policy failures, he will be able to blame clueless Republicans for his own failures again.<br /><br />One thing is certain and that is the undeniable fact that Obama's incompetence combined with his real world inexperience finally made the US a 'laughingstock' on the world stage. And I don't think pinprick attacks against Syrian dictator Assad would change that.<br /><br />I am not being cynical. I am actually being a fair foreign observer of events. This happens when a serious nation elects a clown and commits suicide en masse. The next 40 months of this idiot's presidency will be pure torture.<br /><br />We shall see!http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/09/syria-debate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-1871955635661089468Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:03:00 +00002013-08-25T03:07:15.057-04:00SyriaSyrian regime should have been bombed to smithereens when they were aiding international Jihadi terrorists in Iraq kill and maim US and coalition troops in Fallujah, Tal Afar, Baghdad and Ramadi in 2005-2006.<br /><br />I never understood how President Bush allowed the nasty Iranian and Syrian regimes to continue killing Americans, and then get away with it. Quite perplexing to say the least.<br /><br />I hope Assad's house is bombed and he is killed for the suffering he has inflicted on his own people, and for all those free dough and oil he has been receiving from the Iranian regime. The dough and oil that rightfully belong to the impoverished people of Iran.<br /><br />On the other hand, dropping some bombs on Assad's butt would send a clear message to Iran's regime as well, however late this is.<br /><br />Time to remove Bashar Assad from power. I hope Obama doesn't just lob a few missiles to get the useless US media/critics off his back.<br /><br />This is my fave Syria policy:<br /><br />&nbsp; <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UceGF3M56bE" width="420"></iframe>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/08/syria.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-4584802691730158836Tue, 30 Jul 2013 04:05:00 +00002013-07-30T00:05:08.994-04:00USAF Colonel. George Bud DayI wish I could've met the man when he was alive. What a man!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4F6Ahw9pF8E/Ufc7KhQS5uI/AAAAAAAABBw/Ku-0--NZ7W4/s1600/budday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4F6Ahw9pF8E/Ufc7KhQS5uI/AAAAAAAABBw/Ku-0--NZ7W4/s320/budday.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Patriot-Life-Wars-Colonel/dp/0316067393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375157066&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=bud+day">his biography by Robert Coram</a> if you can.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/07/usaf-colonel-george-bud-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-1564622326692123939Sun, 21 Jul 2013 09:10:00 +00002013-07-21T05:10:52.789-04:00Jew hatred is repulsiveThe anti-Semitism current in the middle-east, and chiefly in Iran makes me vomit. There will be no bright future for any of those miserable nations if they cling on to their Jew-hatred. I find it very repulsive when so many Iranians hold anti-Jewish sentiments, or they feel brave enough to express them. Ugh!http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/07/jew-hatred-is-repulsive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-5148069438251578317Fri, 28 Jun 2013 02:44:00 +00002013-06-27T22:44:31.870-04:00The Farce That Is The Iranian ElectionsNeedless to say that the regime played its cards very well again. Despite media reports, the turn out was not that amazing. Most of my friends reported to me that they and their families/friends stayed home and did not participate in the sham elections. Alas, the regime managed to choose the candidate it really wanted: Rouhani.<br /><br />It does not matter who's won. The ultimate goal for the sane Iranian people and the western governments should be the overthrow of the Iranian regime. Period!http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-farce-that-is-iranian-elections.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-3837510400157795612Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:48:00 +00002013-06-18T01:48:12.787-04:00Iran's Election 2013Nothing has changed.<br /><br />Iran's supreme dictator Khamenei decided to appoint a so-called "moderate" to fool the naive westerners and reduce the pressure on his dying regime. And unfortunately 35 million Iranians decided to play his game.<br /><br />One positive thing out of the whole thing: The Iranian people still have the capacity or the ability to come out to the streets in the thousands as we saw over this past weekend. Too bad this energy cannot be channeled to topple the current regime entirely.<br /><br />Great Q/A with Michael Rubin on the 2013 elections <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/node/351310">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/06/irans-election-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7354839550054556213Wed, 22 May 2013 04:19:00 +00002013-05-22T00:19:50.735-04:00Iran's sham elections<div style="text-align: justify;">It is sickening to see how many western observers think the 'elections' in Iran can be similar to real 'elections' in democratic countries. These westerners or 'regime stooges' as I call them are either getting paid by the Iranian regime, or they're among the most evil scumbags one might encounter. To sum it up, the 'elections' in Iran have been rigged and meaningless.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only 'vote' that matters is the one cast by Khamenei through his 'Guardian Council' that decides who can ultimately run in these sham (s)elections. Shaming and naming them is the least any decent human can do. These scums legitimize the Iranian regime in the west. They're nothing but neo-colonialists in my view.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>&nbsp;Any how, please follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/winstoncn">Twitter</a> for further updates on Iran and other related subjects.</b></div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/05/irans-sham-election.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-8971011715606415641Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:33:00 +00002013-04-28T01:33:41.509-04:00TwitterPlease have a look at my updated <a href="http://twitter.com/WinstonCN/"> twitter account</a>. http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2013/04/twitter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-626168824980232511Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:29:00 +00002013-04-28T01:32:15.020-04:00New platform<div style="text-align: justify;">I realize I have not been an active blogger for a while. Right after 2009-2010 turmoil in Iran, I felt depressed and traumatized like many of my fellow compatriots in and out of Iran. Having said that, I am looking for new platforms to continue my blogging and punditry. My <a href="http://twitter.com/winstonCN">twitter account</a> has served as a mini blogging vessel/opportunity though, and you're more than welcome to follow my rants there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have had this weblog for about 7 years now and considering the situation in Iran and else where, I'd definitely like to have a bigger, better platform to continue writing and commenting. Blogger.com (now owned by Google) is not what it used to be and it does not deliver the punch I so crave in doing this.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the meantime, please keep checking back here and please have a look at my&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/winstonCN">twitter account</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will be looking for more stable blogging platforms and once I find one, this blog will be transferred to that platform.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks for your patience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-platform.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7958239975560989228Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:31:00 +00002012-11-29T19:23:47.333-05:00Sanctions on Iranian airlinesWhile I can sympathize a little with the ordinary Iranians about the poor quality of air travel in Iran, I strongly support the UN and western sanctions on Iranian airline industry. A regime that hangs its citizens using cranes should not be allowed to own anything that is as technologically advanced as an aircraft. Of course, if the current Iranian regime cared about its citizens then it would acquire new airplanes through black markets the same way it acquires military and nuclear equipments and technology. And of course we know the truth behind their inaction: The Iranian regime does not care about the safety and well-being of its people.<br /><br />That said, I'd like to draw your attention to this <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iranian-Aircraft-Manufacturing/Tupolev-Tu-154M--/2150303/L/&amp;sid=8f54668703f72cbf31a44d39e9ae1220">bizarre photo</a> that has appeared on aircraft spotters website airliners.net:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLM7pYg0IYQ/UDYEB8sIbpI/AAAAAAAAA7M/_qwWGEY6XqM/s1600/2150303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLM7pYg0IYQ/UDYEB8sIbpI/AAAAAAAAA7M/_qwWGEY6XqM/s320/2150303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>An ex-Russian passenger plane (Tu-154), previously owned by the state-run 'Iran AirTours' airlines is now converted by the 'Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries' as a military testbed. Look closely at the tail section of the above aircraft and you'll be able to see a nose section (orange cone) of an F-5A fighter jet. The caption from the original photo says this airplane will be able to carry/test UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) in the future. This jetliner was located at the IRGC's ramp in Tehran's Mehrabad airport.<br /><br />This is why tighter sanctions against the Iranian regime appears to be very necessary. The whole government has to be shut down and grounded. And until then, I'd like to advise my fellow Iranians to avoid air travel if possible.<br /><br />The Iranian regime has to be overthrown before more innocent people end up dead in quakes, plane crashes, wars or future nuclear tragedies. Just sayin'!<br /><br />Update: A close up photo via Combat Aircraft magazine's twitter feed: <a href="http://twitpic.com/an5e0p">here</a>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/08/sanctions-on-iranian-airlines.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-8827006830996769628Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:21:00 +00002012-11-29T19:24:35.636-05:00Obama's 2nd termThe next four years will be like nightmare. I can't believe American people voted for this fool again. The US is going down fast as this buffoon in the White House will ensure the dismantling of the United States. Scary!<br /><br />Thank goodness for the Conservative party of Canada and our own Prime Minister Harper.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/11/obamas-2nd-term.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7816816406872199527Sat, 08 Sep 2012 07:17:00 +00002012-09-08T03:19:24.690-04:00Good riddance to Iran embassyCanada, once again, shows the world how to deal with the Iranian regime<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-severs-diplomatic-ties-with-iran-citing-safety-concerns-1.946127">Canada orders Iran's embassy in Ottawa closed</a>.<br /><br />It's time for the French, Germans, Italians and the rest of the Europeans to shut down Iranian diplomatic missions in their respective capitals. This will be a huge morale booster to those who are struggling for their freedom inside of Iran. Isolate the regime and starve it to death.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/09/good-riddance-to-iran-embassy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-5826004225229424532Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:11:00 +00002012-08-27T00:11:31.424-04:00Neil ArmstrongIt is hard to believe heroes are mortal too. He was and will be an inspiring man to me and those who care deeply about space and scientific exploration. A very sad weekend!<br /><br />My sincere condolences to the Armstrong family and the American people.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/08/neil-armstrong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-7890329287807545923Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:25:00 +00002012-07-06T20:24:03.515-04:00I've got Hate-Mail<br /><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1341544602730331" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">"I often get my fair share of hate mails from liberals, terrorists and insane people but so far, this tops them all:"</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1341544602730331" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Sent by:&nbsp;jjw69er@yahoo.com (Josh Wright):</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1341544602730331" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;">"Winston?" really you're such coward chickenshit that you cannot even reveal your own goddamn name and hide behind a pussified name, Winston! LOL! Churchil was an insufferable douchebag, are you a douche of a <u><b>brown</b></u> variety?&nbsp;You really think people would take you seriously, "Winston"? &nbsp;I bet even <u><b>Israeli terrorists</b></u> would laugh their ass off at your extreme retardation.&nbsp;Neocon my ass you're self hating cunt as simple as that."</div></blockquote></div><div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">The problem is that this hateful anti-Semite has never heard of George Orwell's '1984' novel. Goes to show how public education has caused severe mental anguish and depravity among leftist thugs. I think I have a very good idea who this 'Josh Wright' can be. After all I have been bugging the Iranian regime lobbyists on twitter (@niacouncil, @tparsi, @jabdi, @hmajd @rezaAslan... et al) for days. But again, I gotta laugh at his lack of basic literary knowledge and all that!<br /><br />Our hateful pal can't hide his racist character well. Just got this second hate mail a few moments ago from the same dubious anti-semite Josh Wright:<br /><ul>"But hey, you're not even that! haha!<div id="yui_3_2_0_5_1341620313175564">Start brown nosing more pro apartheid&nbsp;cretins and they may consider giving you a 'blog' to write. Just like that fuckface Ahamari.&nbsp;Of course, you should call it: I'm a self hating Iranian and I'm lovin' it! or or neo-con douche of Persian variety.&nbsp;Here's to your promotion to another pro apartheid useful idiot!</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_5_1341620313175559">Happy Friday dickface!"</div></ul></div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/07/ive-got-hate-mail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-1415724925178739851Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +00002012-07-03T23:27:56.471-04:004th of July<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_uQFnbeKM-eE/SG48w4iJyqI/AAAAAAAAAV8/reDBgn9niB4/s1600-h/fireworks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219175828676004514" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_uQFnbeKM-eE/SG48w4iJyqI/AAAAAAAAAV8/reDBgn9niB4/s320/fireworks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 220px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 147px;" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uQFnbeKM-eE/SG48xOKJRvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/v0f7BrjNCMA/s1600-h/IMG_0719.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219175834480887538" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uQFnbeKM-eE/SG48xOKJRvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/v0f7BrjNCMA/s320/IMG_0719.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 155px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 206px;" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Happy Independence Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="310" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N7Wt4XlXUrc" width="345"></iframe></div>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-4th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-1673489444263224904Wed, 09 May 2012 07:06:00 +00002012-05-09T03:06:52.802-04:00Regime's internal warsThere is a lot of chatter about the ongoing internal war that is taking place within the Iranian regime.<br /><br />The simple truth is that Iran's supreme leader Khamenei is consolidating his power base. He is tired of playing 'democracy' and has decided to do away with the fake democratic aspect of the regime such as elections. Khamenei is using the revolutionary guards to politically remove other factions and elements from his path. <br /><br />I get dizzy (and sometime I laugh) when I see western pundits trying to figure this "puzzle" that is the Iranian regime. This is no puzzle, dudes. Khamenei runs the show, and has been running it since his predecessor died in 1989.http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/05/regimes-internal-wars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538109.post-8793878358675171435Thu, 03 May 2012 05:00:00 +00002012-05-06T03:30:39.757-04:00Chinese dissident betrayed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As is the case with Obama's administration shameful record on supporting (or lack thereof) pro-freedom dissidents around the world, a <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/05/02/activist-chen-guangcheng-let-me-leave-china-on-hillary-clinton-s-plane.html">Chinese dissident was handed over</a> to the brutal communist Chinese authorities.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dissidents around the world be ware: The current US administration is not your friend. The current president of the United States is a <a href="http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/05/02/betrayal-of-dissidents-at-core-of-realism/">leftist thug</a> who does not care about the plight of Iranian, Syrian or Chinese pro-freedom dissidents. Stay away from the US missions and embassies around the world until a new president (hopefully) is elected in November. In the meantime, try Canada's foreign missions and embassies. Prime Minister Harper of Canada and his government have a better track record of supporting liberty and democracy abroad.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shame on Obama!</span>http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2012/05/chinese-dissident-betrayed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Winston)0